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Let's Grow - Amateur Radio

8 April, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

I've been chatting with a mate recently about ham radio and the impact of the new ACMA changes.



After running some numbers, it's clear—we're seeing growth in the number of callsigns being issued.
Yes, I know… "But people can hold multiple callsigns!" Totally true. But right now, it’s one of the best indicators we have—and the trend is heading in the right direction.

Even better, I’ve heard from so many people who’ve just gotten their licence and are absolutely loving it.

So to all the new hams out there: Welcome!
Welcome to this amazing hobby—and important service. Most of all, have fun!

Now, here’s a challenge for you:

🎯 If you’ve been thinking about getting (or upgrading) your amateur radio licence—there’s never been a better time to do it.
Find an assessor near you and start your journey today:
👉 https://www.acma.gov.au/assessors

Not sure where to start? Try here
👉https://youtu.be/rh0895hGXMU?si=SDcIq7EgqYC5Tqfj

My club Radio and Electronics Association of Southern Tasmania has training videos to help
👉https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiSE6GEhcXU&list=PLsnsP_zjw831mdC6sY4XqavRUY-53ZWUn&ab_channel=ReastHobart

🎯 Already licensed? Challenge yourself to introduce just one new person to the hobby.
A friend, family member, workmate—anyone. Invite them over, show them your shack, take them out for a field day, bring them along to a club event. Let them experience what makes this hobby so special.

Let’s grow amateur radio—together.


Australian Beaches now added to POTA!

5 November, 2024 - Reading time: 3 minutes

As announced at the Tassie Ham-E-Con Conference 2024, Aussie Beaches will now be added to POTA:

From today our State POTA mapping coordinators will begin to add in Beaches into the POTA system. In POTA there is a park category called "State Beach".

The process of adding beaches will take many months so if there is a particular beach you want entered please contact your state POTA mapping rep.

Please take note of the safety concerns when activating a beach.
Definition of a park type "State Beach" for POTA in Australia is:
"strip of land covered with sand, shingle or small stones at the edge of a body of water, especially by the sea between high and low water marks".
The "Beach" is the Activation zone. Beaches are crown land and therefore publicly accessible. due to the popularity of some beaches, activators should setup well away from busy areas including where swimming flags are located. Activators need to be aware of others using the space including walkers, runners, beach volleyball and other activities and locate their equipment well away from such activities to reduce risk. Beach amenities such as toilets, green space and car parks are managed by local councils and therefore are not part of the beach activation zone.
For those with physical limitations that would hinder access to the beach, they may activate from the beach amenity areas. Generally beaches will not overlap with other land base parks, but there will be overlap with marine parks providing 2-fer opportunities.
For more information and guidance on activating please see this link to the document "Guidance for activators of Australian Beaches in POTA"
Seven Mile Beach, Tasmania (AU-8678)

Connect TWO (or Three) Radios To ONE Antenna with a Diplexer/Triplexer

10 September, 2024 - Reading time: ~1 minute

Don't blow up your radios! Use this device when you want to connect two radios to one antenna, or vice versa.

Diplexer 👉 https://geni.us/KDjW

Triplexer 👉 https://geni.us/wTqWyi

TinySA 👉 https://geni.us/rUrhaH

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I may receive a small commission.


SNOOP in on ANY Radio Signal!

10 September, 2024 - Reading time: ~1 minute

This is the TinySA Ultra (Tiny Spectrum Analyzer) that can be used to detect any radio signal between 100 KHz and 5.3 GHz. You can even listen in on signals!

TinySA 👉 https://geni.us/iSBuc

TinySA Ultra (model in this video) 👉 https://geni.us/rUrhaH

10W Attenuator 👉 https://geni.us/ivDqB47

TinySA Wiki 👉 https://www.tinysa.org/wiki/

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I may receive a small commission.


Using a NanoVNA to Fix Our Repeater Coverage

10 September, 2024 - Reading time: ~1 minute

We're phasing two dipole antennas together on our repeater system, but we need to add downtilt - to move the main lobe down toward our main users. This is how you build a delay line to accomplish this using a NanoVNA. ⬇️ Equipment in this video ⬇️ NanoVNA SAA-2N 👉 https://geni.us/YPOGD0

NanoVNA H4 👉 https://geni.us/SqRmO

As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I may receive a small commission.